Triple Crown 2018

[ZephyrHawk]

Hey Disboards horse racing enthusiasts. I know you're out there from my annual Derby threads. I'm a bit late posting this because I was busy all day yesterday hosting my Belmont Party. But now I've had a bit of time to decompress, and I'm hoping to share a discussion with some of my favorite people I've never actually met (you).




What do you say about a horse that goes from maiden to Triple Crown winner in less than 5 months? I mean...seriously. I wonder if this is how people thought about Seattle Slew, back in the day. Questioning how a lowly priced colt with a bunch of rag-tag owners could manage to defeat the best of his generation. Or Secretariat, leaving them speechless over a Belmont win that was beyond explanation. Take a look at this guy? He's never felt mud kicked in his face. I mean, there's always a chance for his form to deteriorate, and for all we know he might not accomplish anything else ever again. But for now? The sky's the limit. He just keeps improving. Haskell. Travers. Classic. World Cup? Pegasus World Cup?

Anyways, if you watched the race yesterday or have any thoughts, feel free to drop them here.

 

[lovin'fl]

He's a great horse, for sure.

How about that girl who won $150K by picking him to win...she won some raffle thing where she had to pick a horse to win and if it won she got $150K? Pretty cool to be her yesterday.

 

[JaxDad]

I loved the sheer joy and faith expressed by the jockey after the race.

I was wondering if the trainer’s other horse played a planned defensive role. I guess it’s not against the rules, and I don’t know if Justify even needed such help, but just thought it was interesting. It’s not really different than teams in cycling and motor sports.

 

[maxiesmom]

He looked like he had a lot left in him at the end. Beautiful horse with the needed swagger to win.

 

[SaintsManiac]

He is so stunning. It's been a joy to watch him this year.

 

[ZephyrHawk]

I was wondering if the trainer’s other horse played a planned defensive role. I guess it’s not against the rules, and I don’t know if Justify even needed such help, but just thought it was interesting. It’s not really different than teams in cycling and motor sports.

It is perfectly legal and entirely possible, but as you said, I don't think Justify would have needed it. It's just as likely the owners of the other horse decided to hedge their bets in case Justify didn't win and, if nothing else, try to cash in on the lucrative 2nd-4th place money.

 

[Walt's Dream]

Yelling like crazy during the entire race! What an incredible horse, and what an incredible jockey. Making big news here in my neck of the woods due to Baffert's ties to southern AZ.

 

[AlohaNow]

Beautiful performance by Justify.

So, Gronk came out of nowhere.....

 

[lovin'fl]

Beautiful performance by Justify.

So, Gronk came out of nowhere.....

And Gronk's jockey was on the bigger side. Didn't see that coming.

 

[Foxhound3857]

I wasn't too surprised; none of the other horses even pressured Justify in the end. They just let him coast to victory. And that horse is literally all muscle.

Even crazier, Gronkowski, a long-shot horse, came in 2nd place. I bet some people made good money off of him.

And yes, that horse is named (and has even been ridden by) after Rob Gronkowski of the Patriots.

 

[Denise W]

I wasn't too surprised; none of the other horses even pressured Justify in the end. They just let him coast to victory. And that horse is literally all muscle.

Even crazier, Gronkowski, a long-shot horse, came in 2nd place. I bet some people made good money off of him.

And yes, that horse is named (and has even been ridden by) after Rob Gronkowski of the Patriots.

No, Rob hasn't ridden him. He only met him for the first time yesterday. He jokingly asked to ride him, but they of course said no.
http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2...-quite-ride/Bp9zWKPxJ6MHbTus8af6RN/story.html
Denise

 

[Foxhound3857]

No, Rob hasn't ridden him. He only met him for the first time yesterday. He jokingly asked to ride him, but they of course said no.
http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2...-quite-ride/Bp9zWKPxJ6MHbTus8af6RN/story.html
Denise

Really? I was told that Rob is actually 50% owner of that horse.

 

[Denise W]

Really? I was told that Rob is actually 50% owner of that horse.

He is a minor owner, after hearing about the horse (the horse is from the UK), he bought the minor interest without having seen the horse.
He met the horse and some of the owners yesterday.
Denise

 

[Foxhound3857]

He is a minor owner, after hearing about the horse (the horse is from the UK), he bought the minor interest without having seen the horse.
He met the horse and some of the owners yesterday.
Denise

I see, cool information to know. Thanks for clarifying. =)

 

[OneOftheB's]

He keeps the chestnut/bay/chestnut/bay theme going in the random Triple Crown facts.

He's obviously a very talented horse, with strong connections. I hope that he (and the rest) come out of the race sound & mentally fit for more racing this Fall. I always worry about Baffert trainees; he is known for being more aggressive on young stock than some other trainers, but obviously it has worked for him.

As for a couple of comments made above
1) Justify's owners aren't a rag tag group. He's majority owned by WinStar Farms (like 60% I believe). I'll say it seems more like a cobbled together group of a number of random entities, but not rag tag by my definition of the term.
2) Low priced? He sold for $500,000 at Keeneland's September yearling sale (2016). Not a bad price for a yearling. Sure, there a were many that sold for more, but he didn't RNA, so the cosigners were happy with that price.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[rickybobby]

In hindsight, wish I had bet the house on this race.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

I loved the sheer joy and faith expressed by the jockey after the race.

I was wondering if the trainer’s other horse played a planned defensive role. I guess it’s not against the rules, and I don’t know if Justify even needed such help, but just thought it was interesting. It’s not really different than teams in cycling and motor sports.

The other horse didn't do anything out of line. As long as you're within the rules, you're fine.

Now, had the other horse violated the rules they'd have taken him down. And if it ever came out that there were orders to the effect of violating the rules to hinder other horses, yes there would be some serious penalties for those involved.

 

[ZephyrHawk]

As for a couple of comments made above
1) Justify's owners aren't a rag tag group. He's majority owned by WinStar Farms (like 60% I believe). I'll say it seems more like a cobbled together group of a number of random entities, but not rag tag by my definition of the term.
2) Low priced? He sold for $500,000 at Keeneland's September yearling sale (2016). Not a bad price for a yearling. Sure, there a were many that sold for more, but he didn't RNA, so the cosigners were happy with that price.

I was referencing Seattle Slew (a $17,500 auction purchase) and his 'Slew Crew'.

 

[manning]

If he wins the “ breeder cup classic” that would be a grand slam

Only 12 horses have done it

 

[ZephyrHawk]

If he wins the “ breeder cup classic” that would be a grand slam

Only 12 horses have done it

Actually, only 1 horse has ever achieved the "Grand Slam". American Pharoah. The Breeder's Cup Classic didn't exist back when the prior Triple Crown winners were around. It's a very new title.


Apparently, I am being a pedant horse racing history buff on the internet today.